Caribbean Regency Sofa
Early 20th Century Jamaican Sofas
Cane, Wood
Antique 1810s Caribbean Regency Sofas
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Cuban Regency Settees
Cane, Mahogany
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Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
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Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
16th Century Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chaise Longues
Leather
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Crystal
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Beech
Antique 1850s English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Rosewood, Walnut
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Bronze
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Silk, Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
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Art Glass, Stained Glass
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Vases
Porcelain
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Vitrines
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin, Glass, Plaster, Feathers
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Antique Early 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Sofas
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Jamaican Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Lucite
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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